Sexually Transmitted Infections

Please call for an appointment 325-235-2869

Purpose

Promote and protect the health of the people of Nolan County. Resources will be directed towards prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections to include HIV and AIDS and to assist with contract monitoring of Texas Department of Health prevention and service grants.

Services Provided by STI Program

Administrative and medical consultation

Surveillance and reporting

Clinical services for treatment

Partner notification

STI and HIV Education

Selected STI medications

HIV/STI prevention

What are the symptoms?

How is it spread?

Treatment

STI

AIDS & HIV Infection

Symptoms might show up several months to years after infection. Persistent symptoms that might include: fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, diarrhea, tiredness, swollen lymph glands, nausea. Often there are no symptoms with early HIV infection, but some may have brief flu-like symptoms.

Virus is passed through the exchange of blood, semen, or vaginal fluids with an infected person. This happens most often through sex and sharing needles. An infected woman can also pass the virus to her child before or during birth. HIV can also be spread to an infant through breast milk.

There is no cure for HIV. There is a blood test to tell if you have HIV infection. There are medications that help slow down HIV and treat the infections caused by a weakened immune system.

STI

Chlamydia

Symptoms might appear 7-21 days after infection. A discharge from your penis or vagina. Pain or burning during urination. Pain in the lower abdominal area. Often you have no signs of chlamydia!

Sexual contact (vaginal, anal, or oral) with someone who has chlamydia.

Cured with antibiotic medications prescribed by a doctor. It will not go away until it is treated. Your sexual partner(s) must also be treated. Take all medication.

STI

Crabs (Pubic Lice)

Signs show up immediately or a few days after infestation. Intense itching in genital area. Visual evidence of crabs.

Close personal contact with someone who has crabs. Might also be spread by sharing of personal items that are infested with crabs or crab eggs.

Cured with prescription and over-the-counter medicated creams, lotions, or shampoos. Follow the directions carefully! Important to thoroughly clean bedding, towels, clothing, etc. at time of treatment.

STI

Genital warts (HPV)

May take 3-6 months for wart(s) to appear. Sometimes cannot be seen at all. Small bumpy growth(s) on or around sex organs or anus. Vary in color and size. Can be inside vagina.

Skin-to-skin sexual contact (vaginal, anal, or oral) with a person who has genital warts.

There is no cure for HPV. A doctor can treat genital warts but they can grow back. Annual PAP tests can detect HPV in women.

STI

Gonorrhea

Symptoms might appear 2-10 days after infection. Pain or buring during urination. Discharge from the penis or vagina. Sometimes men and women have no signs of gonorrhea.

Sexual contact (oral, anal, or vaginal) with someone who has gonorrhea.

Gonorrhea can be cured with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor (pills or a shot). Your sexual partner(s) must also be tested/treated. Take all medication.

STI

Hepatitis B (HBV)

Symptoms might appear 450-180 days after infection (avg = 4 months). Tiredness, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite/weight, aching muscles/joints, fever, nausea, diarrhea, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark-colored urine. You may only feel one or a couple of these symptoms or none at all.

Contact with blood, semen, or vaginal fluids of a person who has hepatitis B. Mainly spread through sexual contact, but can also be spread through needle sharing and during birth.

There is no cure for hepatitis B. Treatment can help control liver damage and make symptoms less severe.